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The couple were in the gallery to meet various representatives from Aids charities.

They were in good humour, laughing and chatting with people on information stands.

The World Aids Day event is an upbeat, fun event designed to smash the stigma that can still exist around HIV.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet well-wishers as they arrive at the Nottingham Contemporary in Nottingham, to attend a Terrence Higgins Trust World AIDS Day charity fair on their first official engagement together (Image: Adrian Dennis/PA Wire)

The laughter continued when Harry recognised Jackie Morris, former Sheriff of Nottingham and Bulwell councillor, who was sporting the same bright pink furry hat she wore when he opened Nottinghamshire Police's new headquarters in October last year.

Speaking to the Prince and Meghan she said: "Do you recognise me?"

To which Harry replied: "I recognise the hat."

Bulwell Councillor Jackie Morris wears the same hat that she did when meeting the prince last time... and gets recognised! (Image: Rachel Gorman)

The councillor also took the time to tell Meghan that she would be sending her a letter asking her to be patron of her charity which helps those affected by female genital mutilation.

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Harry has long been involved in promoting awareness of AIDS and HIV, and took over this role from his late mother Princess Diana.

In 2006, Prince Harry jointly founded Sentebale, a charity to help orphans in Lesotho, southern Africa. He was moved by the plight of children orphaned by the AIDS pandemic which has devastated the country. Together with his friend Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, he set up Sentebale to offer long-term support to community organisations working with children and young people in particular to those working with orphans.

Crowds gather outside the Nottingham Contemporary in Nottingham, ahead of a visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to a Terrence Higgins Trust World AIDS Day charity fair on their first official engagement together (Image: Victoria Jones/PA Wire)

Last year he underwent a public HIV test at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital to raise awareness and promote how easy it is to get tested, as part of his on-going efforts to eradicate stigmas associated with HIV/AIDS.

On their way into the event, more well-wishers got up close to the royal visitors.

Libby Morton, a 20-year-old student, watching on High Pavement, said: “We Americans absolutely adore the royal family, I’m going to be here for the royal wedding. I got to shake Megan’s hand it’s the best part of the day.”

Proud royalist Irene Hardman, 81, from Ruddington, has met the Prince twice and has a special gift for him and Meghan: Bags of Haribo sweets and some Nottingham goodies too.

She said: “Meghan came over first and I just put my arms around her and said it is so lovely to meet you and I am sure you are going to have a lovely life with him. I said look after him for us. She said to me I was so sweet.

“Harry asked me what I had in my bag and I said I have biscuits, Haribo for you both, fudge, magnets of the Nottingham Arms and Robin and of course a copy of the Nottingham Post. It was fantastic.”

Angela Leivers, 55, from St Ann’s, said: “I got to shake their hands and talk to them. I welcomed her to the UK and congratulated them on their wedding and asked Harry for an invite. He said he will see what he can do.”

Emily Harland, 21, from Australia, and studying at Coventry University said: “I was going to shake their hand, but my hands were cold and Meghan reached into her pocket and gave me a heat pack. I said ‘thank you’.

“I thought they were really sweet, and it is good that one is from England and one is from America. It unites the two countries.”